Delusional disorder Flashcards
What is delusional disorder?
Delusional disorder is characterised by delusions that persist for at least 1mo without other symptoms of schizophrenia. -Relatively uncommon
- psychosocial functioning less impaired cf schizophrenia
- impairments usually arise from delusional belief
Early Sx delusional disorder?
- Feeling of being exploited
- Preoccupation with loyalty or trustworthiness of friends
- Tendency to read threatening meanings into benign remarks
- Bearing of grudges
- Readiness to respond to perceived slights
What are the subtypes of delusional disorder?
- Erotomanic
- Grandiose
- Jealous
- Persecutory
- Somatic
What is erotomanic delusional disorder?
Believe another person in love with them. Efforts to contact the other person. May have conflicts with the law.
What is grandiose delusional disorder?
Believe have great talent or have made important discovery
What is jealous delusional disorder?
Believe spouse or love is unfaithful. Incorrect inferences supported by dubious evidence.
May resort to assault.
Persecutory delusional do?
Believe they are being plotted against, spied on, maligned or harassed. May attempt to gain justice through courts etc. May resort to violence.
Somatic delusional disorder?
Delusion relates to bodily function; e.g. patients believe they have physical deformity, odor, parasite
Diagnosis of delusional disorder?
- Clinical assessment
- r/o other specific conditions (e.g. substance abuse, Alzheimer’s, OCD, schizophreniform d/o’s)
- assess severity / risk (i.e. willingness to act)
Prognosis?
- Usually no severe impairment or personality changes
- Manage delusions and monitor severity
- Generally retain employment
Treatment delusional disorder?
- Establish effective rapport
- Manage complications
- Lack of insight makes Rx diff.
- Hospitalisation if pt dangerous
- No drug has data support (may use SGA if severe)
- Long term goal of shifting pt major focus from delusion to more constructive area
